Are you researching ideas for starting the difficult conversations with your aging parents about their medical care? Do they still live in their own home by themselves, have good health, stay active and visit with their family? Are you aware of your parents giving any thought to a time when they may not be able to make decisions for themselves because of either an accident or illness or the need for skilled nursing care? Having these conversations with your aging parents about their future, especially while life is good for them, may be difficult. However, you need to start a conversation with your aging parents about their future. Even if it is difficult, it is so important that you and your family know what your aging parents want in the event of a sudden crisis or incapacity.
Begin now, while your aging parents are healthy and able, to take time to start these tough conversations about their future. If your parents agree, you might want to include all of your family. Listen to your aging parents and allow them to voice their personal preferences for medical decisions and for long-term care choices. Need some ideas for starting these conversations and discussions? We have some questions we would like to share that can help start these challenging conversations with your aging parents.
Who do your parents trust to make medical decisions on their behalf?
Who do your parents not trust to make medical decisions on their behalf?
If needed, will your parents want feeding tubes, life support, and other artificial life-saving devices?
What type of medical care do your parents never want?
What would contribute or take away from their “quality of life” if your parents were permanently disabled or incapacitated?
If they had a choice, would your parents want skilled nursing home care or in-home healthcare?
How will you and your family pay for care if the co-pays of your parents become excessive or insurance does not cover their treatment?
Now, as you and your family hear the answers and choices your parents make, it is important to document their choices through a Florida estate plan. We highly recommend that you meet with a qualified and experienced Florida elder law attorney. He will assist and advise your aging parents in creating their estate plans. In their estate plans, each parent will have a document that will allow them to designate a healthcare decision maker who can ultimately carry out the choices he and she have made.
Do you have questions? Need additional advice? Planning for the future is critical to ensure that your goals for the end of life are achieved. We know this article may raise more questions that it answers. We do telephone, computer, and face-to-face appointments. Our face-to-face appointments are held outside in the open air (frequently selected by clients for document signing) and inside our office conference room. We follow all CDC guidelines. Our office procedures adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols and are designed and enhanced by medical review and air quality engineering.
Ideas for Starting Difficult Conversations with Your Aging Parents About Medical Care
